Coach Mike Hesson says the Black Caps will have a look at the Wellington wicket before deciding whether to play a specialist spinner for the second and final cricket Test against India.
All 20 Indian wickets to fall in New Zealand’s 40-run win in Auckland were shared by seamers Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Neil Wagner, with Wagner bagging eight of them.
Hesson says the Basin Reserve pitch usually has plenty of pace and carry, as was the case during New Zealand’s innings victory over the West Indies in December.
“It generally holds that pace throughout the Test match and it certainly did against the West Indies, albeit that it was only three days,” he said.
“I think the overcast nature assisted the ball swinging in Wellington and let’s hope we get something similar over the next week.”
Hesson said the Black Caps wouldn’t pick a spinner unless he had a role to play.
Whether that meant young leggie Ish Sodhi sitting out the match from Friday would be decided after a pitch inspection.
At Eden Park, Sodhi had a tough time against batsmen adept at playing spin, and he finished with match figures of 0-91 from 21 overs.
But Hesson backed the 21-year-old to bounce back.
“He’s learning quick and he will come back stronger,” he said.
“We have a lot of faith in Ish.”
The squad for the second Test will be named on Tuesday.
It won’t include batsman Jesse Ryder or seamer Doug Bracewell, who are under investigation by New Zealand Cricket for a late night out before the first Test.
Ryder was in the 13 as back-up for Ross Taylor, whose wife is due to give birth to their second child.
The baby hasn’t yet arrived, and Hesson said Taylor would be a big loss if he couldn’t make the second Test, but family came first.
While he described Taylor as New Zealand’s best player, he was confident in the ability of his replacement to slot in.
“There’s a lot of players in the first-class scene who are putting their hand up and deserve opportunities.
“Whoever that is I’m sure will step in and will want to make a major contribution.”
